The health benefits of lavender are very diverse. In addition to its pleasant aroma and can improve sleep quality, this flower can also heal wounds.
Table of Content
1. The many benefits of lavender
2. Risks of using lavender flowers
Do you like lavender flowers? This one flower has a very beautiful bluish purple color that makes many people interested in seeing it.
In addition, this flower is also considered to be able to repel mosquitoes because of its distinctive aroma. But wait, the benefits of lavender flowers are not only that. There are many other benefits that are good for your health.
The many benefits of lavender
Lavender ( Lavandula Angustifolia ) is a flower plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family . This flower is believed to have existed since 2,500 years ago and came from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. Apart from being a fragrance, since ancient times the lavender plant has also been used as an herbal ingredient for various diseases. Some of the benefits of lavender flowers for health, According To Natural Health Remedies Benefits & Uses of Lavender Essential Oil for Skin, Hair & Health include:
1. Aromatherapy
Lavender flowers are most often used as aromatherapy because of their distinctive fragrance. The aroma of this flower essential oil is believed to help improve mood and calm.
Lavender flowers can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and mild pain. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that topical use of lavender can reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.
2. Help heal wounds
Lavender flowers can help heal wounds and reduce pain because the extract contains linalyl acetate and linalool, which are important anti-inflammatory components.
The presence of antioxidants in lavender can also contribute to wound healing. In addition, this flower also contains polysaccharides that can help cure inflammatory diseases.
However, do not apply lavender oil directly to an open wound. Preferably, use it when the wound is dry
3. Relieve PMS emotional symptoms
When PMS, many women feel a variety of symptoms, one of which is volatile emotions. A study involving 17 women in their 20s with mild to moderate PMS symptoms showed that inhaling lavender aromatherapy can reduce emotional symptoms that occur during premenstruation.
4. Fights fungal infections
A study in the Journal of Medicine Microbiology found that lavender oil is effective in fighting yeast infections. The oil has an antifungal effect and works by destroying fungal cell membranes.
Researchers have also shown that lavender oil can kill various types of fungi that can cause skin and nail diseases. In addition, when applied to the skin, lavender oil also shows positive results in helping with eczema, acne, sunburn, and diaper rash.
5. Overcoming hair loss
Lavender flowers can help with hair loss. A study showed that lavender could increase hair growth by up to 44 percent after 7 months of treatment.
Meanwhile, another study found that applying lavender oil to the backs of rats helped promote hair growth for 4 weeks. However, further studies in humans are still needed to prove these findings.
6. Improve sleep quality
Insomnia is a sleep problem that is quite often experienced by many people. A study at the British Association of Critical Nurses in 2017 showed that lavender oil can be an effective remedy in improving sleep quality for people who have trouble falling asleep.
Before going to bed, put lavender oil on your pillow to help you sleep better. Make sure not to swallow it as it can be dangerous. Meanwhile, lavender tea is also believed to be able to overcome sleep disorders and anxiety.
7. Reduce the sensation of heat due to menopause
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause that occurs in many women. This condition can cause a sudden sensation of heat throughout the body, causing the body to sweat, and the face to turn red.
However, a study in the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association suggests that inhaling lavender aromatherapy for 20 minutes every day can help reduce these complaints.
Risks of using lavender flowers
Not only as a plant, lavender flowers are also available in the form of oil, supplements, or tea. But despite its benefits, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that repeated use of lavender oil can trigger gynecomastia.
This condition can cause enlarged breast tissue in boys before puberty. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also warns people not to combine lavender with medications to reduce blood pressure or that cause drowsiness because it can cause drug interactions.
Lavender is also considered to slow down the central nervous system so doctors will advise patients to stop using lavender 2 weeks before surgery because they fear it can be dangerous.